Carpet sample display rack



July 26, 1960 c. R. ASHER CARPET SAMPLE DISPLAY RACK Filed NOV. 27, 1959INVENTOR; CARLTON R ASHER United States CARPET SAMPLE DISPLAY RACKCarlton R. Asher, Wayne, Pa., assignor to James Lees and Sons Company,Bridgeport, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No.855,884

'3 Claims. (Cl. 211-45) This invention relates to display devices andmore particularly to an improved means for securing samples of textilefabrics, particularly carpeting, to a waterfa display rack.

In the carpet industry a waterfall sample display rack refers to adevice on which a plurality of carpet samples are secured in overlappingrelationship in such a manner that the edge of each sample has anexposed area of several inches. In the conventional waterfall displayrack the carpet samples are securely clamped to the front curved face ofthe rack so that they cannot be removed without substantialinconvenience and the prospective purchaser is unable to see more thanthe few inches of exposed area unless the overlying samples are manuallyelevated.

The present invention pertains to an improved means for individuallysecuring the samples to the front panel of the waterfall display in sucha manner that each individual sample can be readily detached andre-attached and also in such a way that it is far simpler to inspect theentire surface of the sample than was heretofore the case. rality ofperforations arranged in two marginal rows on the front panel. Eachfabric sample is clamped adjacent a corner thereof by means of a toggleor spring-loaded clamp connected to a short length of chain whichterminates in a cross bar. The cross bar in each chain is convenientlyinserted through the appropriate perforation in the panel where it isretained therein until it is desired to detach the sample. Alternativelythe sample may be removed directly from the two clamps which are notrigidly secured to the panel but are free to be moved because of theshort length of chain. The device is extremely simple, permits the quickremoval of any number of the samples so that the prospective purchasercan examine the entire pattern repeat, compare the colors in the samplewith other samples or with articles of furniture, and the sample can bereadily transported to obtain the effect of both natural and artificialfighting with the greatest of convenience.

A primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide in a fabricsample Waterfall display a front sloping panel having a plurality ofperforations therein, a plurality of flexible elements having a bar atone end and a sample clamp at the other end, the bar being capable ofinsertion and locking behind any one of the perforations.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of my improved waterfall display;

Fig. 2 is a perspective showing the rear of the display rack of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail as seen at 3---3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail as seen at 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view showing one of the fabric sample connectors.

A conventional waterfall display rack comprises a front The inventioncomprises the provision of a plu-' '23 or other flexible element.

Patented July 26, 1960 panel 10 having a rounded upper terminus 11 and alower curved flared portion 12. A collapsible stand 13 is secured to theback of panel 10 and is provided with suitable braces 14, 14. A pair offeet 15, 15 serves to support the' front of the assembly and to maintainthe panel 10 in a generally elevated position from the showroom floor. Acurved cap 16 is secured on the rounded portion 11 by means of staplemembers 17, 17 in such a way that the cap 16 may be tilted rearwardly toexpose the top portion of the various fabric samples S secured to thepanel 10.

The precise invention is shown more clearly in Figs. 3-5 from which itwill be observed that each of the samples S is secured to the panel 10by means of a pair of connecting elements 20 secured to the upper edgeof the sample and to various elevated positions along the panel 10. Forthis purpose the edges of the panel 10 are provided with a series ofperforations 21, 21 which receive and retain a bar 22 secured at its midpoint to a chain The opposite end of each chain 23 is secured to a clamp24 by means of a loop 25 and the clamp 24 is of the toggle varietyopened and closed by means of a plate 26. The clamp itself is entirelyconventional and forms no part of the present invention, and it will beunderstood that a spring-loaded clamp or any other suitable means forattaching the chain 23 to the top edge of each sample S may be employed.Each sample is provided with a pair of the connectors 20 and arranged inoverlapping relationship so that the front edge of each sample isexposed in a manner shown in Fig. 1.

Should it be desired to detach one or more of these samples, it is onlynecesary to pull the chain 23 partially through its associatedperforation 21, turn each bar and thus completely detach the sample andconnector from the panel. Furthermore, the flexibility and freedom ofmovement achieved with the short length of chain or other flexibleconnection 23 permits the salesman to display the samples on the rackmuch more clearly than if each sample is rigidly clamped as in previouspractice. The sample can be moved slightly from side to side withoutdisconnecting it from the panel and the overlapping samples or top ofthe particular one in question can be readily and more easily held sothat an unobstructed view of any sample can be obtained.

The invention is extremely simple and greatly facilitates the displayand examination of fabric samples which is an important function in themerchandising of soft floor covering because the full-sized rolls ofcarpeting cannot be conveniently handled and displayed to advantage.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim:

1. A waterfall carpet sample display assembly comprising a sloping frontpanel having a series of marginal perforations adjacent each lateraledge thereof, a flexible sample connector inserted in one of saidperforations said connector having a bar at one end and a fabric clampat the other end, and means for supporting said panel in a substantiallyupright position.

2. A display rack assembly comprising a sloping front panel having aseries of marginal perforations adjacent each lateral edge thereof,separate flexible chains extending through transversely aligned pairs ofperforations, a retaining element on the terminus of each of said chainsin back of the panel, and a carpet sample suspended from the oppositeterminus of each of said chains.

3. A display rack assembly comprising a sloping front panel having aseries of marginal perforations adjacent each lateral edge thereof,separate flexible chains extending through transversely aligned pairs ofperforations, a retaining element on the terminus of each of said chainsin back of the panel, a carpet sample suspended from 3 the oppositeterminus of each of said chains, and a clamp 2,168,946 secured to eachof the chains for supporting the sample. 2,825,467

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS' 56,206 1,405,024 Smith Jan. 31, 1922 24,691

4 Rogers Aug. 8, 1939 Fernly Mar. 4, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden July27, 1895 Great Britain Nov. 29, 1905

